Virginia Walmart mass shooting: Store to close for the 'foreseeable future'

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin called the mass shooting "a horrendous, senseless act of violence."

“Our hearts are just completely broken this morning," he told reporters Wednesday.

“Our job is to support families who are facing the unthinkable today: families who have lost a loved one or have a loved one who is injured,” he said.

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Virginia governor reacts to Chesapeake Walmart shooting

"Our job today is to come around them and support them," Gov. Glenn Youngkin said of the victims' families.

ABCNews.com

President Joe Biden said in a statement, “Because of yet another horrific and senseless act of violence, there are now even more tables across the country that will have empty seats this Thanksgiving. There are now more families who know the worst kind of loss and pain imaginable.”

“We are grateful to the first responders who mobilized to assist victims, and I have directed federal officials to provide any support and assistance needed to the people of Chesapeake,” he said.

Biden noted that this shooting comes just days after another mass shooting in Virginia, at the University of Virginia.

He said the nation “must take greater action” when it comes to gun-reform laws.

We “mourn for all those across America who have lost loved ones to these tragic shootings that we must come together as a nation to stand against,” Biden said.

Walmart employee Kevin Harper told ABC News he arrived to work early Tuesday night. He was sitting in the break room when he said something didn’t feel right -- so he left.

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Walmart employee on mass shooting: ‘I feel lost’

Kevin Harper said he heard around three or four muffled gunshots and ran into a clothes hanger to hide.

ABCNews.com

Moments later, Harper said he heard around three or four muffled gunshots and he ran into a clothes hanger to hide.

“I couldn’t tell you how long I hid in there. Time just stopped at that moment,” he said.

He said he then ran as fast as he could out of the employee entrance. On his way out, he said he saw two people on the floor, including one woman covered in blood.

“I’m just praying for my Walmart family,” Harper said.

-ABC News’ Ike Ejiochi

Chesapeake City Manager Chris Price said Wednesday that he was "very, very proud of the response of our public safety team" after the mass shooting at a Walmart.

"You hope a day like this never comes, but you train for it," Price said during a press conference. "We practice, we talk about it, we discuss, we learn lessons from other places, we try to put those lessons to good use, hoping those lessons will never have to be put to good use."

Price described Chesapeake as a "wonderful place" where the community comes together "when times are good" and "when times are difficult."

"I know it pains all of us to be together today on this day of incredible tragedy and unimaginable sadness," he added.

Price then read a statement from Chesapeake Mayor Rick West, who tested positive for COVID-19 and could not attend the press conference.

"I am devastated by the senseless act of violence that took place late last night in our city," Price said, quoting West’s statement. "My prayers are with all those affected -- the victims, their family, their friends and their coworkers. I am grateful for the quick actions taken by our first responders who rushed to the scene. Chespeake is a tighknit community and we are all shaken by this news. Together, we will support each other throughout this time. Please keep us in your prayers."

The mayor as well as the city council have all been fully briefed on the shooting and the response, according to Price.